Backpacking in Zambia: Mpika
Posted: September 2 2023 | Tagged: Zambia
If you are coming from or going to Tanzania, Mpika makes a great stop.
It's a highway town. Don't expect much (though the feeling is 100x better than Kapiri Mposhi, which was a shit hole).
But it's a place to break the journey.
The distances between towns in Zambia are massive.
Whether you are taking public transport or you have your own wheels, you are gonna need to recover your senses.
From the border at Nakonde to Lusaka is over 1000 clicks. The road is mostly ok but there are some bad sections early on with many crater-sized potholes and if you are driving, they will catch you unawares and destroy your vehicle.
The distances between towns in Zambia are massive.
Whether you are taking public transport or you have your own wheels, you are gonna need to recover your senses.
From the border at Nakonde to Lusaka is over 1000 clicks. The road is mostly ok but there are some bad sections early on with many crater-sized potholes and if you are driving, they will catch you unawares and destroy your vehicle.
I am, of course, using public transport.
I had taken a shared car from the border. 370km 7 hours. Buses start at the ungodly hour of 3 am. Did that in Mozambique and Madagascar. No, thank you. Unless there is no other option. I can do it, no problem but I simply don't want to.
I had taken a shared car from the border. 370km 7 hours. Buses start at the ungodly hour of 3 am. Did that in Mozambique and Madagascar. No, thank you. Unless there is no other option. I can do it, no problem but I simply don't want to.
The best bus to take is the PowerTools bus company. They have their own depot and ticket office.
The old Chinese buses are slightly better than the ones used by the other companies which run out of the Mpika bus stand.
The old Chinese buses are slightly better than the ones used by the other companies which run out of the Mpika bus stand.
The buses heading southwest are through buses, originating in Nakonde (the border) and Mpulungu, the town at the bottom end of Lake Tanganyika.
They arrive between 10 and 11 am.
It took me nearly 8 hours to get to Kipiri Mposhi, 447km. The first 160km were slow going. After that the road was OK.
Going to Tanzania I have no idea, but you're gonna be arriving at Nakonde, late. Hardly ideal.
Opposite the Power Tools office is the GM Trading supermarket (closed on Sunday)
Paying with card? Forget it! Though places advertise that it's possible to pay, in reality, their card machines don't work.
They arrive between 10 and 11 am.
It took me nearly 8 hours to get to Kipiri Mposhi, 447km. The first 160km were slow going. After that the road was OK.
Going to Tanzania I have no idea, but you're gonna be arriving at Nakonde, late. Hardly ideal.
Opposite the Power Tools office is the GM Trading supermarket (closed on Sunday)
Paying with card? Forget it! Though places advertise that it's possible to pay, in reality, their card machines don't work.
On one side of GM TRADING is the Melodies Lodge, an ultra-basic guest house with rooms from 150 to 200 Kwacha. No Wifi. No breakfast.
On the other side is the Atlasmara bank. 3 times I went there and the ATM was out of action but they can change money inside.
So get cash either at the border or in Lusaka.
I stayed at the Fresh Air Lodge, a15-minute walk from Power Tools.
Rooms start at 250Kw.
On the other side is the Atlasmara bank. 3 times I went there and the ATM was out of action but they can change money inside.
So get cash either at the border or in Lusaka.
I stayed at the Fresh Air Lodge, a15-minute walk from Power Tools.
Rooms start at 250Kw.
Real friendly staff, breakfast is included:
There is WiFi but it doesn't work in all rooms and sometimes it just doesn't work. Not the fault of the Fresh Air Lodge. TIA.
This is why I recommend you get yourself some data.
I was told Airtel is the best.
I bought 5GB which lasts 1 month and costs 60Kw with 10Kw for the sim:
This is why I recommend you get yourself some data.
I was told Airtel is the best.
I bought 5GB which lasts 1 month and costs 60Kw with 10Kw for the sim:
The Fresh Air Lodge has a bar too. Small beers 15K, large beers just 25Kw.
The TV seems to be permanently on the Football channel. Even I watched a game, Tottenham beating the Cherries
They do a cracking Sausage and chips!! Order before you get hungry!!
Room 11 was where I stayed for 3 nights. It's quiet. Thick curtains to block out the light.
Hot water showers but dt expect too much but it's perfect for backpackers. Tourists wanting comfort would never find their way here anyway.
They do a cracking Sausage and chips!! Order before you get hungry!!
Room 11 was where I stayed for 3 nights. It's quiet. Thick curtains to block out the light.
Hot water showers but dt expect too much but it's perfect for backpackers. Tourists wanting comfort would never find their way here anyway.
They have a laundry area and am sure the girls will wash your stuff for you.
I did my own despite some laughs at my style of doing the laundry.
I did my own despite some laughs at my style of doing the laundry.
Mpika was a happy place. Or rather the Fresh Air Lodge was, enjoying the Zambian smiles.
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